It seems crazy that another new year is already almost here. Seems like yesterday we were ringing in 2010, all wondering where the flying cars were and debating whether we should say “two-thousand-ten” or “twenty-ten.”
This time of year usually represents one of the biggest challenges for those attempting to eat well and exercise. The opportunities to eat great food are abundant, as is the desire to lounge on the couch and watch football while all that turkey you just ate settles.
You know what I think? Don’t overdo it, but enjoy yourself. If you find yourself fortunate enough to spend the holidays at home with your family, it won’t kill you to take a few days simply to enjoy their presence. And if your family is anything like mine, that’ll probably lead to some good exercise anyway, in the form of touch football games out in the yard.
And if you are on the road away from your family, take time to get in touch with them. Let them know that you love them and are thankful for them. Tip your waitress well and enjoy a slice of pumpkin or pecan pie.
Physical health isn’t the end-all of your wellbeing, and I hope you realize that. Sometimes it pays to focus on emotional, mental and spiritual health, as well.
Make sure you take time out to ponder what you are thankful for this year, even if it seems there isn’t much. If you have a job, that’s definitely something to be thankful for, with the economy still in recovery mode. If you passed your DOT physical this year and got to stay on the road, be thankful for it. I bet you can think of at least a few more things if you try, and I almost guarantee it’ll put you in a better mood.
The other thing I want you to consider during this time is what you want to do differently next year. Yes, take time to enjoy the holidays, but also give some thought to the resolutions you will take on in the new year. Challenge yourself to do things in the next year that you never thought were possible; sometimes it only takes a spark of an idea to make these things reality.
We’d also love to hear from you about your goals for next year, especially health-related ones. If you’d like to share and possibly see yours published in an upcoming issue of Truckers News, write to Managing Editor Misty Bell at [email protected] or at 3200 Rice Mine Road NE, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35406.
